novelraw Chapter 616: Business Anywhere
Chapter 616: Business Anywhere
A gust of wind blew by, carrying a thick stench that was truly beyond description...
Little Shengsheng was about to speak when she instantly clamped her mouth shut like a clamshell: "..."
The moment Ji You saw Little Shengsheng, her face bloomed into a smile as warm as fire: "Little Shengsheng, quick! Please, have a seat."
Little Shengsheng’s fair face did not show any anomaly, but her tightly closed mouth remained like a clamshell. However, just as the Rag Queen reached out to pull her into the cave, Little Shengsheng finally spoke up, saying, "Let’s talk outside."
"Eh?" Ji You blinked, asking, "Not going in for the discussion? Just outside the cave mouth?"
Little Shengsheng, with a strained face, nodded: "Right."
Ji You lifted the corners of her mouth, pretending not to notice the fleeting look of despair in Little Shengsheng’s eyes, and said with a smile, "That works, too. After all, it’s too stinky inside the cave, not conducive for speaking."
Little Shengsheng: "..."
Audience: "..."
Audience A: "Little Shengsheng: Awkward, seeing through but not pointing it out, huh."
Audience B: "Little Shengsheng: With you calling it out directly, how am I supposed to respond?"
Audience C: "Little Shengsheng: I only wanted to express my disdain tactfully, but you just bluntly said it, I’m really embarrassed."
Audience D: "Little Shengsheng: I don’t want to talk."
...
Ji You partially blocked the cave entrance, and finally, the pungent stench stopped spreading so mercilessly. She chuckled hehehe, and even deliberately edged closer to Little Shengsheng playfully, saying with a tease, "Don’t disdain that stench, let me tell you, the reason our team has been able to survive until now is all thanks to Stinky Grass."
Little Shengsheng’s expression, unchanged for eons, momentarily stiffened when the Rag Queen came closer. Smelling the strong stench hitting her face, her face finally froze for a few seconds. Despite trying hard to keep her composure, inwardly, she desperately wished the Rag Queen would stop talking, because with each word spoken by the Rag Queen, the scent became even more intense.
Little Shengsheng, with a stiff smile: "Cough cough..."
Ji You pretended not to see, and cheerily said, "I’ll call our Captain over."
After speaking, Ji You turned toward the cave entrance: "Xiaoqing, we’ve got guests, come out quickly, don’t keep them waiting too long."
Audience: [What’s going on? This sounds strange, as if she’s calling out a courtesan from a brothel to welcome guests...]
Cough cough...
As the Captain, Shen Changqing of course needed to show up to express sincerity for the cooperation. Thus, Shen Changqing lifted the blockage at the cave entrance and crawled out. At the moment his figure was revealed, Little Shengsheng, who had been relaxing, instantly tensed up: it stinks so badly!
But!!! As a child of good manners, Little Shengsheng didn’t show a trace of disdain. She looked at Shen Changqing, sparing in her words, and asked, "Cooperation? How?"
Shen Changqing nodded, "Possible."
Hearing this, Little Shengsheng was satisfied with Xiaoqing’s straightforwardness and decisiveness. After some thought, she said, "After killing the Flame Beast, to avoid others stealing our fruits of labor, shall we consider forming an alliance with a few more teams?"
Shen Changqing shook his head, saying, "The Handsome Young Master Team from the South District is already done for, and Ma Dashuai’s Team from the West District still has members; both are good partners, but I don’t think it’s necessary to form an alliance with more teams."
Little Shengsheng considered for a moment, shaking her head, "Just our two teams, it’s not enough security."
The strength of this Level 9 Flame Beast obviously exceeded everyone’s expectations. To face it alone, it’s very likely that everyone would be wiped out. That’s why Little Shengsheng took the initiative to propose an alliance with Little Qing’s Team.
But are two teams enough?
Little Shengsheng harbored doubts...
Shen Changqing, frowning, said, "If we must recruit more people, I think we can bring in Ma Dashuai."
Little Shengsheng thought for a bit and said, "I’ll try to contact him."
Hearing this, Ji You suddenly cleared her throat and interjected, "Err... I think we should also bring in the Handsome Young Master."
Little Shengsheng was surprised and asked, "But his team only has a few people left, not strong enough."
Ji You replied, "Whether the strength is enough doesn’t matter so much, it’s just—I’m afraid he might be afraid to ally with us. Umm... Little Shengsheng, can you find a way to persuade him to join us?" The Handsome Young Master Team was originally the top group in the South District, and if it hadn’t been for Ji You and Sheng Qingyan’s trickery, they would still be the favorites to win this competition...
What’s that saying again?
Once bitten, twice shy!
I guess the Handsome Young Master, after taking such a big loss and sacrificing so many people, just wants his team to lie low, not daring to stick their necks out or form alliances with anyone. Because with so few members, they could easily become cannon fodder if they allied with stronger teams like Little Shengsheng’s or Little Qing’s.
After thinking for a bit, Little Shengsheng understood why Ji You said that and pondered before speaking, "I’ll try to convince him."
And then—
Little Shengsheng sent a message directly to the Handsome Young Master.
second.
Little Shengsheng shared the Handsome Young Master’s reply with Ji You: [Alliance? Impossible! Let the Rag Queen and Little Cutie wash their necks clean, my brothers are ready to pick their heads at any moment.]
After reading, Ji You’s face showed a trace of embarrassment, and she chuckled sheepishly, "Hehe... We’re all humans, killing and fighting each other, how terrible it is. Not good, not good, I think the Handsome Young Master should drink some chrysanthemum tea to cool down."
At the same time, Ji You deeply regretted and couldn’t help but rant internally:
[Cough...
What great cannon fodder material the Handsome Young Master’s team is, and it’s gone.
Cough...
That Handsome Young Master isn’t stupid at all.]
Regarding the Handsome Young Master’s unwillingness to join, Little Shengsheng and Shen Changqing didn’t feel much regret. They then attempted to contact Ma Dashuai, who, after discussing with his team members, agreed to cooperate.
So, Little Qing Team, Little Shengsheng Team, and Ma Dashuai’s Team, the three current favorites for the championship, confirmed their cooperation and agreed to advance and retreat together before the battle against the Flame Beast without resorting to various schemes to backstab, plot against, or slaughter each other’s team members.
Once the Flame Beast is slain, everyone will rely on their own skills to compete for the championship.
The three parties discussed and established the basic principles of cooperation.
After that.
All teams still chose to stay low-key.
That is—
Right after agreeing to cooperate, as Little Shengsheng was about to leave, Ji You suddenly spoke up, "Cough cough... Little Shengsheng, how about we make a deal?"
Little Shengsheng: "???"
Ji You’s face lit up with a smile, saying, "Stinky Grass, need some? 1 kg for 5000 points, cash on delivery, how about that?"
Little Shengsheng: "..."
Shen Changqing: "..."
The moment this was said, not just Little Shengsheng and Shen Changqing, but even the audience watching felt that the Rag Queen must be dreaming, right? Obsessing over points to insanity? 1 kg for 5000 points? Why doesn’t she just rob someone?
And also—
With such a ludicrous offer, how could Little Shengsheng possibly agree?
But then—
Little Shengsheng suddenly said, "That’s a bit expensive."
Grinning mischievously, Ji You’s mouth opened up like a floodgate, "5000 points for 1 kg is a conscience price, really not expensive, and this Stinky Grass has been proven by our team’s practice to be effective against the Flame Beast. You should know that with it, your teammates’ survival rate could increase by at least 60%. This is not something that points can easily buy. And you know, points are static, but people are alive. People can earn more points when they’re alive. Without people, it’s all over, no discussions, don’t neglect the lives of your teammates over such a small amount of points, that’s not what a good captain would do..."
Little Shengsheng, frowning, said, "500 points."
Ji You slammed her hand down in agreement: "Deal."
Audience: "..."